Russian army to get rid of Chinese textiles

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, who oversees the defense industry, set forth a suggestion to ban purchasing textiles for the army abroad, Radio Mayak said. As the official wrote on his Facebook page, "we can make everything for ourselves."

The Ministry for Economic Development of Russia has already prepared the bill prohibiting the purchase of textile and light industry products for the needs of law enforcement agencies from foreign manufacturers. In addition to the ban on purchasing ready-to-wear products from foreign countries - knitted clothing, socks, clothes and underwear, the Economic Development Ministry proposes to ban the use of all kinds of foreign-made fabrics, as well as sewing threads and rubber.

The government is certain that the measure will allow Russian companies to work for the future. Urgent measures are needed to revive the nearly dead light industry in Russia, officials say. There is a possibility to lose all companies in this sector in case they do not operate properly and at full capacity. Experts fear, though, that such measures would only cause a rise in prices.